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Post by beetlehorn on May 8, 2011 20:14:37 GMT -8
Based on some scientific evidence I have personally seen, I can't help but think that something in the environment is changing at abnormal rates. I am just wondering how many of you believe that global warming is a real threat by the activities of man, or just a cyclical event that has happened before in the past? I cannot personally present anyone with proof one way or the other, so my comments on this matter are somewhat arbitrary. It would be interesting to see what readers of this forum think about this controversial subject though. I personally tend to think that there is something to consider when glaciers shrink by hundreds of feet in just a matter of a few years! Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on May 8, 2011 18:44:50 GMT -8
It has always been a dream of mine to be able to go collecting in far away distant locations such as Peru, Bolivia, Malaysia, Africa, and even the far East of Asia. Since my time and money will only allow this on a very rare occasion, I as many others here must rely on insect dealers to get a nice collection of foreign material. Which brings me to an interesting point of discussion in regards to the accuracy of collecting data that comes with each specimen. For example I recently got a few specimens from a US dealer, and the typical data included was very general, rather vague, and incomplete. A South American specimen would come with the following data: (Dox. agathina Satipo Peru Oct. 2009). No exact date, no exact location, no info regarding weather or habitat conditions, and no idea as to the collectors name. I sometimes wonder if the data is just some ambiguous info scribbled on the envelope to half-heartedly appease the collector. Sometimes a specimen will come with no data at all, which virtually makes the specimen worthless scientifically speaking. Anyone else ever feel this frustration? Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on May 5, 2011 20:37:55 GMT -8
I too must admit that doubts in regards to the Ivory Billed Woodpecker's survival have crept in. I have as well as probably all of us here, seen the negative side in cases such as this one, that seem to prevail in terms of an endangered species' survival especially one believed to be extinct. Then again, it was some 60 years that they were thought to be extinct, then all of a sudden a flurry of sightings, with several along the way coming from fairly credible sources. A period of 5 or 6 years is a relatively short time span by which to judge whether or not they still exist. If any one of these people actually did see one, and positively identified it (if even to themselves), it is my opinion that presuming their testimony as ambiguous, would be a direct insult. Take for example the Schuaus' Swallowtail (Papilio aristodemus ssp. ponceanus). For years they were thought to be extinct, then one man, Dr. Thomas Emmel found a tiny colony in one of the Florida keys and developed a way to build up their populations, even on the mainland. Today you could realistically go to extreme south Florida and very likely encounter this species. Much of his success was attributed to his knowledge of the habitat and foodplant requirements for these butterflies, and the foresight to improve the conditions for them, which is happening for our woodpeckers as you read this currently. The habitat is the key, it must remain intact and improve steadily for them to have any kind of chance. I stand with Dr. Fitzpatric and say I believe they still persist somewhere out there. I think the searchers are overlooking something. Perhaps the few birds sighted were looking for nesting sites, or perhaps the beetle larvae they prefer only occur within certain trees, and they are few and far between. This would explain the fleeting encounters. Maybe their centralized zones are nowhere near the areas they were sighted. These opinions are somewhat arbitrary in nature, because I have no solid proof to back them up, but we are dealing with a rather elusive bird in a huge tract of forest (well over 50,000 acres!) much of which is hardly ever explored, so any one of these possibilities would make finding one or more of these birds quite difficult. This is especially true if one doesn't know where to concentrate a search, thus making it a random search at best. Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on Apr 25, 2011 19:26:17 GMT -8
In response to your story, I can't help but wonder what color the cop was. I am not racist, just curious. This is in my opinion an outrage! This thread reminds me of an incident last fall where I was pulled over for not wearing a seatbelt. Yes I know it's the law, but I can't help but wonder if the real reason for enforcing these laws are to increase revenue as you mentioned. Am I really supposed to believe that the cop cares so much for my personal safety that he has to write me a ticket for not wearing my seatbelt!? I see automobiles with faulty brakes, worn tires, cracked windshields, worn steering systems, and much more to list at my job every week. I have never seen any one of these pulled over for safety violations, which in my opinion are far more of a threat to public safety,....but Oh Boy! you better wear that seatbelt!!! Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on Apr 24, 2011 11:11:50 GMT -8
Ever since I first saw a collection of Morphos when I was a child, I have been interested in collecting insects, especially butterflies. Whenever the subject of collecting comes up at work or at a gathering be it a social event, or even a family cookout, I can't help but feel somewhat alone in my interests. My immediate family are rather used to it, but it just seems to me that most people don't "get it". For example, a guy I work with noticed an image on my cell phone of a rather large female P. glaucus with lots of blue that I took last summer. He just couldn't get past the idea that a grown man would have a butterfly picture, (instead of a photo of a cool car, or Harley D., or maybe even a porno girl). It didn't seem "manly" enough to him I suppose. Perhaps collecting insects says something about us as individuals, after all, it is not a mainstream hobby, at least not in modern times. For the most part, collecting insects is done by men. There are a few women that enjoy collecting, but in my opinion even female collectors get "strange looks" from the general public at times. So the question remains...does collecting insects make us somewhat different from other people, thereby actually defining our personality? What is it that brings about this strange desire to collect? One facet for me is that I have always been fascinated with things in nature, and I am somehow moved to want to preserve and record objects of natural history. I have collected seashells, rocks and minerals, and other things of interest, but nothing comes close to my passion for insects, and that is what most people cannot grasp, I suppose it seems somewhat inappropriate to them. Does anyone else here ever get the same impression? Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on Apr 24, 2011 4:36:33 GMT -8
In regards to the sighting of the Ivory Billed Woodpecker, I must say it is a whole lot easier to swallow than stories of huge hairy apes roaming around the countryside. Not saying it is impossible, but since we know they once existed, and we have scientific documentation of these birds, it is easier to believe that a small population still persists in the vast forested regions of that area. Also I should mention after seeing the video footage, even though it is a fleeting image, it is compelling. I have seen lots of Pileated woodpeckers in my outdoor ventures, but have never seen one with extensive white fringes on the wings. The bird in the footage is definately not a Pileated woodpecker in my opinion. Just the possibility of their existence has prompted a program to protect the habitat from chainsaws and bulldozers, and this is definately a good thing because as the forest matures, the likelyhood of this species surviving gets better. Not to mention the benefits to all the other species in the area. If there are still remnants of these birds, someone will eventually get hard evidence to present to the public. Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on Apr 24, 2011 4:09:13 GMT -8
In response to Thanos' specimen, very nice mounting job! I didn't notice the tiny chip until Bichos pointed it out, but nevertheless it is a handsome beetle. Finding a live stag beetle during the day is quite rare indeed, especially one of this size. I always encounter them around lights near good habitat, and have seen them flying at dusk. I don't recall ever seeing one flying during the day. I suppose they can be found on trees that are leaking sap. In the photo below, I have included some of the largest specimens I ever collected. All are around the 60mm mark. The one in the top row center is the largest I have seen yet and measures in at 63mm! This is definately a rarity in the wild. Most specimens (90%) measure in at around 50-55mm. When you see them approaching 57, 58 and above I think it is safe to assume you have found the ideal habitat and conditions for this species. Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on Apr 12, 2011 4:31:23 GMT -8
This is a question for those of you that are experienced in rearing Lucanus beetles. Just to summarize my limited experience with these beetles, a few years ago I collected a few wild pair of Lucanus elaphus. The females oviposited a good number of eggs in the subsrate I provided. I kept the larvae in separate containers that held hardwood substrate. Nearly all made it to adulthood, but none were of any great size. I am aware that in Japan, breeders regularly get very large specimens. What is their secret? Are the grubs on a special diet? Is it possible to get larger specimens than I am encountering in the wild? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on Apr 11, 2011 18:20:04 GMT -8
Absolutely!!! The one I got from you (Bill) really stands out in my collection. It is without a doubt one of my most prized specimens! Stag Beetles with rainbow colors, how much better can it get! Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on Apr 11, 2011 18:15:13 GMT -8
Very Nice Thanos!! I know it's not as rare as your specimen, but I just had to share one of my favorites...Prepona xenagoras from Bolivia. Thanks for posting a picture of such a rarity, it is truly a pleasure to see. Tom Attachments:
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Post by beetlehorn on Apr 9, 2011 17:02:11 GMT -8
This is Lucanus elaphus, from Tennessee. I usually encounter these near areas of mixed hardwood forest. The largest ones are typically around the 60mm mark. Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on Apr 1, 2011 20:05:32 GMT -8
In regards to otonashi...I think your english is quite good! Your writing is actually more legible than some "American" writers I have encountered. I think I speak for all of us, we all appreciate your effort, and any input you have here is of great value. I for one also appreciate the opening thread and photo. It is a very useful tool for identification. Thank You, Tom
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Post by beetlehorn on Mar 17, 2011 17:49:24 GMT -8
In response to your question regarding a 64mm specimen of L. elaphus...... I have never seen one quite that size, but I have come close. A few years ago I had a terrific collecting season and captured a wild male that measures 63mm! I still have that one in my collection. Finding a 60mm wild specimen is rather uncommon even if you collect in ideal habitat, and finding one above the 60mm category is actually a rarity. Oh, and Bill, I think all of us are at least a little bit crazy, it comes with the territory of insect collecting. Anyway thats how the general public sees us. Tom Attachments:
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Post by beetlehorn on Mar 17, 2011 17:37:48 GMT -8
You are right, I should have included the two you mentioned. It is interesting how closely M. jumaloni resembles the Parthenos group. Tom Attachments:
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Post by beetlehorn on Mar 15, 2011 20:35:23 GMT -8
I have always regarded Nymphalidae as my favorite group of Lepidoptera, for many reasons. Amongst which are the forest dwelling species such as Apaturinae, and Limenitis. Here I have pictured another sub group of Limenitis, namely Moduza. White bands on gunmetal and chocolate brown backgrounds, and intricate marbled patterns truly make these butterflies a prize for any collection. Tom
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